Flexible fuel tank for fuel cell

ABSTRACT

This invention is a flexible fuel tank for a fuel cell, including a sac body and a discharge port. The sac body that serves to store anode fuel is configured to a hollow configuration and made of a tactile material. The discharge port is provided to the sac body and serves to allow the anode fuel to flow therefrom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a fuel storage tank for fuel cell, particularly to a non-rigid, flexible fuel tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional fuel storage tanks for fuel cell are all made of a rigid material, such that the appearance and capacity of the fuel storage tanks has been predetermined. In addition, since the fuel storage tank is formed as an inseparable part of the fuel cell, such inherent structure of the conventional fuel storage tanks cannot be adapted to portable fuel cells or miniature fuel cells. Even more, the space occupied by the conventional fuel storage tanks becomes an issue in implementing portable fuel cells and miniature fuel cells.

In view of the shortcoming of the conventional fuel storage tanks, this invention discloses a flexible fuel tank, such that the fuel storage tank is no longer an issue in implementing portable fuel cells and miniature fuel cells. In addition, the properties of the flexible fuel tank allow portability and flexibility in manufacturing products of various capacities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a flexible fuel tank for a fuel cell, where the flexible fuel tank allows portability and flexibility in manufacturing products of various capacities.

To achieve the above object, this invention provides a flexible fuel tank for a fuel cell including: a sac body for storing anode fuel, configured to a hollow configuration and made of a tactile material; a discharge port provided to the sac body and serving to allow the anode fuel to flow therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other modifications and advantages will become even more apparent from the following detained description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and from the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the flexible fuel tank for the fuel cell of this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view where the flexible fuel tank for the fuel cell of this invention is additionally provided with a non-return fitting; and

FIG. 3 is schematic view illustrating this invention being implemented in a fuel cell system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the flexible fuel tank for the fuel cell of this invention. The flexible fuel tank 10 mainly includes a sac body 101 and a discharge port 103. The sac body 101 is configured to a hollow configuration to use its interior for storing anode fuel, such as methanol solution. The sac body 101 is made of a tactile material so that the sac body 101 has physical properties such as flexibility and less likelihood of fracturing. The sac body 101 could be made of material such as silica gel, plastic, or metal foil coated with Teflon® surface coating. In addition, in manufacturing the sac body 101 and selecting the material, further consider the chemical properties of the anode fuel, such as using a tactile and acid-resistant material. For example a metal foil coated with Teflon® surface coating, whereas the Teflon® coating provides such an acid-resistant property. Accordingly, the sac body 101 may alternatively be made of aluminum metal foil with Teflon® surface coating.

In FIG. 1, the discharge port 103 is provided to the surface of the sac body 101. The discharge port 103 mainly serves to allow the anode fuel to flow therefrom. To prevent the anode fuel flowing out of the sac body 101 from flowing back into the sac body 101 and from leakage, see FIG. 2, this invention is further provided with a non-return fitting 105 to the discharge port 103 to resolve the possibility of backflow and leakage of the anode fuel.

While using the flexible fuel tank 10 to fill the anode fuel, the sac body 101 is first filled with a small amount of nitrogen, followed by filling most of the remaining space in the sac body 101 with anode fuel. FIG. 3 is schematic view illustrating this invention being implemented in a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system 20 includes an injecting portion 201 that is connected to the non-return fitting 105 of the flexible fuel tank 10. The anode fuel in the sac body 101 will flow from the discharge port 103 and non-return fitting 105. In consideration of air pressure balance between the interior and exterior of the sac body 101 so as to ensure smooth flowing of the anode fuel from the sac, the sac body 101 may further be provided with aperture 107, used to balance the interior air pressure of the sac body 101 and the exterior atmospheric pressure. Needless to say, a removable sticker may be used to seal the aperture 107 before using the flexible fuel tank 10.

Since the flexible fuel tank of this invention is made of a tactile material, it consists of the following advantages and improved effects:

-   1. Low manufacturing cost to allow for disposable fuel tanks; -   2. Capability of manufacturing flexible fuel tanks of various     capacities; and -   3. Ease of carrying several flexible fuel tanks due to the high     portability of the flexible fuel tanks of this invention.

This invention is related to a novel creation that makes a breakthrough in the art. Aforementioned explanations, however, are directed to the description of preferred embodiments according to this invention. Since this invention is not limited to the specific details described in connection with the preferred embodiments, changes and implementations to certain features of the preferred embodiments without altering the overall basic function of the invention are contemplated within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A flexible fuel tank for a fuel cell, including: a sac body for storing anode fuel, configured to a hollow configuration and made of a tactile material; and a discharge port, provided to the sac body, served to allow the anode fuel the discharge port to flow therefrom.
 2. The flexible fuel tank of claim 1, wherein the tactile material is made of a material selected from a silica gel, a plastic, or a metal foil coated with Teflon(R) surface coating.
 3. The flexible fuel tank of claim 1, wherein the anode fuel is a methanol solution.
 4. The flexible fuel tank of claim 1, wherein the flexible fuel tank further includes a non-return fitting connected to the discharge port.
 5. The flexible fuel tank of claim 1, wherein the sac body further includes an aperture for balancing the interior air pressure of the sac body and exterior atmospheric pressure so as to ensure smooth flowing of the anode fuel from the sac.
 6. The flexible fuel tank of claim 1, wherein the sac body is first partially filled with nitrogen and then filled with anode fuel.
 7. The flexible fuel tank of claim 2, wherein the metal foil is an aluminum metal foil. 